In vitro culture of Gastrodia elata BL

Gastrodia elata BL is a heterophytic plant, and in nature its survival and growth relies on its symbiotic fungus, Armillaria mellea Fr.. The in vitro growth of G. elata was investigated by using the young shoots as explants. The results showed that the existence of apical buds were essential to the survival of the shoot segments; under aseptic condition, the shoot segments with apical buds grew well when they were cultured on artificial media, elongating and forming new shoots, and developing into small tubers when cultured in liquid medium.